Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698941272727.pdf (Zambia)
INFORMATION BRIEF ON CYBER SECURITY AND CYBERCRIME TRENDS IN ZAMBIA Research Department, September, 2022 critical systems What is cyber security and cyber crime?

Cyber security is the practice of and protecting sensitive information from digital attacks1 whereas cyber crime refers to illegal acts which involve the use of and Communication Information (ICTs)1 to commit Technologies fraud, crimes such as or violating extortion, intellectual property.
financial privacy Cyber crime Trends in Zambia cyber status on rating is Zambia’s security on cyber Zambia’s moderately security impressive.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Global Cyber security Index the (GCI) to commitment of countries cyber security in 2020 rated Zambia’s progression at 68.88 per cent from 14.7 per cent in 20141.
To improve Zambia’s global rating, capacity development in cyber security that measures further From January - December, 2021, the Zambia Computer Incidence Response Team (ZM-CIRT) recorded a cumulative number of attacks amounting to 10,718,002.

The cyber threats recorded in 2021 included: mobile money reversal scams, social media account hijacking and fake online product promotions and investment schemes.
Figure 1: Summary of Statistical Trends on Cyber Cases of Concern (2020-2nd Quarter, 2022) The figure highlights cyber cases of concern and corresponding financial losses.

The financial sector suffered losses in excess of K150 million and over K6 Million was lost due to Pyramid schemes otherwise known as fake financial investments.

Source: Constructed from Statistical Trends on Cyber Cases of Concern by Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) Impact of cyber crime i.
Loss of money, valuable personal or company data and sometimes reputation damage; and ii.

severe financial disruption and loss of productivity.

The Legal and Policy framework i. Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, No.2 of 2021 which provides for cyber security including protecting persons and Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) against cyber crime.

ii.

The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act No.4 of 2021 which provides a safe and effective environment for electronic transactions.

iii.
iii.

The Data Protection Act No.

3 of 2021 which provides an effective system for the protection and regulation of personal data.

iv.

The National Cyber Security Policy of 2021 whose overall objective is to transform the cyberspace into a safer environment in order to fully realise the social and economic benefits of ICTs.

Challenges in dealing with the threat of Cyber crimes absence of key national level security infrastructure such as a Centralised Monitoring Facility to enhance visibility i.
Lack of and over CII and intelligence sharing.

The would cost K66.76 million to implement.

a National Public Key Root (NPKI) Infrastructure Certification Authority (RootCA) whose installation is estimated at K123.8 million.

heighten financial consumer education and awareness regarding the trends and prevention of cyber crimes.

constraints to ii.

iii.


increased of forgery Identity Cards National Registration and fraudulently registered SIM cards used in the registration of telecommunication and banking services.

legal The role of Parliamentarians Parliamentarians are obliged to consider some of the following interventions: i. scrutinising and the policy frameworks on cyber crimes to adapt them to potential cyber threats and also ensure they conform to international agreements and treaties which Zambia is a Party.
This includes undertaking period reviews on delegated legislation on cyber crimes with due consideration for human rights and other emerging issues; ii.

appropriating adequate public finances for the installation of CII and undertaking essential programmes aimed at mitigating cyber crimes; and supporting the dissemination of cyber security information and best practices of mitigating cyber crimes in their constituencies.

iii.